Scott County prosecutor Paul Boyd deploying to Afghanistan

BENTON, Mo. (AP) - A southeastern Missouri prosecutor is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan with the National Guard.

Scott County prosecuting attorney Paul Boyd told the Sikeston Standard Democrat he'll leave in March for training at Fort Hood, Texas, followed by approximately nine months in Afghanistan.

Boyd is a major in the Missouri National Guard and the deputy staff judge advocate for the 35th Infantry Division, based in Lexington, Mo., and Leavenworth, Kan.

He's deploying with the Guard's 1-135th Aviation Battalion, an Apache attack helicopter unit based at western Missouri's Whiteman Air Force Base.

Boyd says he'll serve in Afghanistan as the battalion's judge advocate general. He describes that position as being the legal adviser to the commander on the application of the rules of engagement in their mission.